Audit 5440

FY End
2023-05-31
Total Expended
$15.01M
Findings
2
Programs
18
Organization: Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2023-12-05
Auditor: Forvis LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
3467 2023-001 - - N
579909 2023-001 - - N

Programs

Contacts

Name Title Type
NE3ERK2DCKT5 Kelly Waldron Auditee
5079337506 Kieth McGovern Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: N/A The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the federal award activity of Gustavus Adolphus College (the College) under programs of the federal government for the year ended May 31, 2023. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the College, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets or cash flows of the College.
Title: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: N/A Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement.
Title: Indirect Cost Rate Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: N/A Gustavus Adolphus College has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Title: Federal Perkins Loan Program Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: N/A The Federal Perkins Loan Program (84.038) is administered directly by the College, and balances and transactions relating to this program are included in the College’s financial statements. Loans outstanding at the beginning of the year are included in the federal expenditures presented in the Schedule. Federal Perkins loans outstanding at May 31, 2023 totaled $653,133.

Finding Details

Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Finding 2023-001 Federal Direct Student Loan Enrollment Reporting Program: Federal Direct Students Loans CFDA Number: 84.268 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Identification Number: P268K230248 Federal Award Year: June 30, 2023 Criteria: 34 CFR 685.309(b) states that upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, a school must update all information included in the report and return the report to the Secretary in the manner and format prescribed by the Secretary and within the timeframe prescribed by the Secretary. Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, a school must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the school discovers that a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the school, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended. Additionally, institutions are required to accurately report the student’s Campus-Level and Program-Level enrollment data. Condition: The College did not submit accurate and timely notification to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) of student status changes and program-level enrollment data. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Context: A sample of 40 students was selected from a population of 336 student enrollment status changes. There were 28 instances in which the student’s status change was reported after the 60 day requirement. In addition, it was noted that for one student that the campus and program-level record information was not in agreement with NSLDS. The sample was not considered statistically valid. Effect: The accuracy of Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by the schools. If an institution does not review, update, and verify student enrollment statuses, effective dates of the enrollment status, and the anticipated completion dates, then the Title IV student loan records will be inaccurate, which impacts student loan repayments. Cause: The College was notified of a data breach at the Clearinghouse in May 2023 so the College intentionally delayed its submission until the breach had been resolved. The file was submitted timely by the College to the Clearinghouse but delayed by the Clearinghouse to NSLDS. The misreporting of one student’s campus and program-level record information related to the late reporting of the student’s enrollment status to the Registrar’s office. Recommendation: The College should review and update its processes and controls to ensure student status changes are reported timely and accurately to NSLDS. Management’s Response: The College acknowledges the finding and has reviewed its policies and procedures to ensure enrollment status information is reported accurately to NSLDS.
Section III – Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs Finding 2023-001 Federal Direct Student Loan Enrollment Reporting Program: Federal Direct Students Loans CFDA Number: 84.268 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Identification Number: P268K230248 Federal Award Year: June 30, 2023 Criteria: 34 CFR 685.309(b) states that upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, a school must update all information included in the report and return the report to the Secretary in the manner and format prescribed by the Secretary and within the timeframe prescribed by the Secretary. Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, a school must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the school discovers that a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the school, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended. Additionally, institutions are required to accurately report the student’s Campus-Level and Program-Level enrollment data. Condition: The College did not submit accurate and timely notification to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) of student status changes and program-level enrollment data. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Context: A sample of 40 students was selected from a population of 336 student enrollment status changes. There were 28 instances in which the student’s status change was reported after the 60 day requirement. In addition, it was noted that for one student that the campus and program-level record information was not in agreement with NSLDS. The sample was not considered statistically valid. Effect: The accuracy of Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by the schools. If an institution does not review, update, and verify student enrollment statuses, effective dates of the enrollment status, and the anticipated completion dates, then the Title IV student loan records will be inaccurate, which impacts student loan repayments. Cause: The College was notified of a data breach at the Clearinghouse in May 2023 so the College intentionally delayed its submission until the breach had been resolved. The file was submitted timely by the College to the Clearinghouse but delayed by the Clearinghouse to NSLDS. The misreporting of one student’s campus and program-level record information related to the late reporting of the student’s enrollment status to the Registrar’s office. Recommendation: The College should review and update its processes and controls to ensure student status changes are reported timely and accurately to NSLDS. Management’s Response: The College acknowledges the finding and has reviewed its policies and procedures to ensure enrollment status information is reported accurately to NSLDS.